After an encouraging start last season's Juniors ended with a bitter introduction to Colts' football. 3-1 down at half-time, they were easily beaten after their goalkeeper was carried off in the 55th minute and two other players were badly injured in the secoond half.

Away

4 - 3 (Harris 2, Gray, Morris)

3 September 1960

Playing "4-2-4" for the first time the Hammers did very well, winning by 4-3 with a goal by Gray five minutes from time after the Young Lions had been either in the lead or level for the early part of the game. Harris (2) and Morris scored our others.

Once more our under-I8's showed some clever football, but resolute defence by the Young Hatters conceded only two goals (Gray and Nelson) despite us having the majority of the play; the opposition had better fortune with their finishing and thereby scored a 3-2 victory.

Playing good constructive football the Young Hammers were leading 2-1 five minutes from time and were value for at least a point Unfortunately two defensive lapses enabled Spurs to snatch victory that their "full-time" Colts did not really deserve against an all-amateur line-up. Inside-right Terry McVeigh from Sheffield played well in his first game for us this season. Peter Gray scored one of our goals and an opposing defender " obliged " with the other.

Bexley won by the odd goal in nine after an exciting match where the half-time score was 3-3. In the Hammers' defence Ken Butler had a very good game and Tony Smith showed improved form (scoring one goal in the bargain). Left-winger Rodney Lugg was in scoring form with two goals and our other came from ex-West Ham schoolboy Barry Pope.

A Hammers side containing one full professional and six apprentices proved much too strong for the Young Lions, and gained a 7-0 victory after being three up at half-time. Stars of our forward-line were Roger Hugo who scored a hat-trick (10, 43, 51 mins.) and Ron Boyce who netted twice (19, 51 mins.'); the persistence of Bryan Dear earned him a goal three minutes from time and our other scorer was John Patten (75 mins.). The opposition 'keeper had a poor night (possibly due to an early injury) and made our task easier, but our defence was generally in good form and Alan Dickie brought off " the save of the night."

There was never any doubt as to the eventual outcome of this match although our lads didn't give a wonderfully impressive display in winning 7-1. Alan Dickie was carried off with concussion five minutes after the interval, but although we were only two up at the time we went on to score five more goals: Martin Peters took over in goal and was beaten only once (by a free-kick on the edge of the penalty-area). Our scorers were John Starkey (3), Roger Hugo (2), Alan Harris and Ron Boyce.

We are pleased to say that Dickie recovered well enough to travel home with the team after the match.

An injury to the Orient right-back in the 63rd minute meant considerable re-arrangement in their side and five minutes from the end they had more bad luck when their goalkeeper was injured. However, by then they were already well beaten, for after Bryan Dear had opened the score (15 mins.) Roger Hugo (29, 35 mins.) and Martin Peters (48 mins.) put us four up. Hugo completed his hat-trick just before the end to give us a 5-0 victory.

The Hammers never really got into their stride in a dull game where all six goals were due to defensive errors. Micky Cannon was outstanding at right-half, but his standard was well above the team average and the Young Robins deserved their 4-2 success.

A strong quick Spurs' side outplayed the Hammers except for one brief spell in the first half. It was one-way-traffic for the rest of the game, and though John Starkey got a consolation goal we went under bv 9-1.

The venue of this game was changed from Wanstead to Cheshunt owing to our home ground being unfit. As our "A" Team's game had also been postponed we included some Colts who usually play in that team on Saturday, although Dave Bickles and Roger Hugo were playing out of their usual half-back positions. Newcomer Peter Heath from Southend, although only 15, made an impressive debut in such company. The Hammers were generally on top for two-thirds of the game but due to bad covering in the defence found themselves two down at half-time. However we came back strongly after the interval to finish on level terms at 2-2. thus breaking the Spurs' 100 per cent record to date.

PORTSMOUTH : FA Youth Cup (Third Round)

Dickie

Presland

Busby

Peters

Bickles

Charles

Starkey

Boyce

Harris

Hugo

Dear

Fratton Park

4 - 2 (Boyce, Dear, Peters, [og])

17 December 1960

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

Our Colts entered the Fourth Round of the F.A. Youth Cup thanks to a 4-2 victory over Portsmouth Colts at Fratton Park. Once again we appeared to make hard work of winning, as at times the Hammers looked diffident and erratic; however, maybe we are a little over-critical, for the Pompey officials took the view that we well-merited the win as we were on top for the greater portion of a game played under difficult conditions.

We took rather a long time to settle down, and in that period the Sailors took the lead through an "own goal"; good work in moving the ball upfield led to Ron Boyce equalising before the interval. The light got bad in the second half, and it was sometimes difficult to see the exchanges, but we gathered enough from what we saw to realise that we were holding on better. This proved to be correct, for though the opposition again went ahead we levelled the score and then netted twice more in the last ten minutes. The Hammers' scorers were Ron Boyce, Brian Dear. Martin Peters and " own goal."

Although Bexley forced five corners in the first few minutes the Hammers survived this pressure and scored through Lugg in their first attack; Roche added to our score and we led by 2—1 at half-time. An "own goal" made it 3-1 for the Hammers, and the score-line remained that way at the finish for a game which could have ended in a more decisive victory.

Against a strong Portsmouth side our defence often found itself in a tangle in the penalty-area; however they succeeded in holding Pompey to two goals and with Roche, Fanning and Watson finding the net at the other end gained a needed 3-2 victory. George Watson of Dagenham (playing his second game for the Hammers) scored after a fine solo run; at centre-forward Keith Murray of Slough performed very creditably in the earlier part of the match, and although he slowed towards the finish could look back with satisfaction on his debut.

After giving Portsmouth an early lead with an "own goal" we took command for the rest of the first half, and had the forwards been more incisive could have been ahead before the interval. However it was a different story after the resumption, an injury to Alan Dickie making it easier for the Blues who went ahead by 3-0, But the Hammers were not deterred by this setback, and in the last ten minutes we netted twice to nearly save the game; in fact, a final score of 3-3 would not have been undeserved.

SORRY NO IMAGE

On a frosty surface Reading adapted themselves to conditions, and although the Hammers played just as attractive soccer the opposition moved the ball to better advantage and go! into the game in more determined fashion. This twice paid dividends (once each side of the interval) when failure by a Hammers' defender to gain control of the ball enabled the Btscuitmen to net from rebounds. We equalised through Alan Harris about a quarter-of-an-hour after the re-start, but our wingers failed to get in their centres at vital times and of the forwards only Roger Hugo appeared likely to add to our total; in defence Dave Bickles did very well, but in the closing stages our rearguard was not able to assist the attack to get an equaliser.

Young John Clements (from Ealing) played his first game for the Hammers and fitted beautifully into the team; the partnership of 15-year-old youngster with Roche was a constant source of trouble to the Rangers' defence. The Young Hammers went ahead after two minutes and always looked likely winners, finally ending with a deserved margin Peter Gray gave a very impressive display which made him the most outstanding player on the field; he scored twice to round off a showing of speed, agility and determination.

Against a Chelsea side made up of players in full-time training our youngsters were never really in the match. They did well to hold the Blues until just before the interval, but in the second half were almost constantly on the defensive and were beaten by four clear goals.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC : FA Youth Cup (Fourth Round)

Dickie

Presland

Le Surf

Peters

Bickles

Busby

Starkey

Boyce

Gray

Hugo

Dear

Upton Park

4 - 1 (Hugo 2, Dear, Gray)

28 January 1961

A good performance by the Young Robins' goalkeeper (aided bv a certain amount of fortune) was partially responsible for the final score being only 4-1 in the Young Hammers' favour, but there was no doubt that had our youngsters made the most of their opportunities they would have gained victory by a much larger margin. Of course, ground conditions were bad, and this caused play and enthusiasm to tail off somewhai in the second-half, but that alone is not sufficient reason for our failure to score after the interval.

Before half-time we had built up a commanding lead with goals by Roger Hugo (2), Brian Dear and Peter Gray, and the 2,500 attendance had every hope of seeing at least another quintet of goals in the closing stages. Nevertheless the margin proved comfortable enough to take us into the last eight of the competition with a goal tally of 20 - 4 in the four matches to date.

This match was played in very difficult conditions with constructive football almost impossible. This made it hard for debutant Dave Hensey from Soutnend, who had a fair first appearance in our colours, but found the pace quicker than he has been used to.

We took the lead in the 23rd minute, but over-ambitiousness in defence allowed Millwail to break away and equalise. Exchanges were fairly even from thence onwards, but a minute from time Alan Harris snatched the winner for the Hammers.

Considering the conditions this was a very interesting match. There was never any doubt about the eventual outcome, but it took. 57 minutes for the Hammers to take the lead - and then through an own goal. After this we piled on pressure, and although frequently in the Luton penalty-area poor shooting robbed the Hammers of a more convincing win than by a 2-0 margin. George Watson was our best player.

The loss of centre-half Peter Heath after five minutes' play was a big handicap for the Hammers, but the re-shuffled defence did very well against a powerfully-built forward-line and held out until the end. Although a man short we still had enough chances to win the match, but several times in the second half good approach work was spoiled by an indifferent final pass or poor shooting. A goalless draw was the inevitable result.

Although at times our team over-elaborated their moves, the defence was never in trouble and we looked likely winners from start to finish Watford held us scoreless until after the interval (incidentally they missed a penalty themselves), but more direct methods in the second half brought a goal by Peter Gray from an easy chance by Brian Roche, and terry Smith converted a penalty five minutes later to make it a 2-0 win.

Although at times our team over-elaborated their moves, the defence was never in trouble and we looked likely winners from start to finish Watford held us scoreless until after the interval (incidentally they missed a penalty themselves), but more direct methods in the second half brought a goal by Peter Gray from an easy chance by Brian Roche, and Terry Smith converted a penalty five minutes later to make it a 2-0 win.

To judge by the reception and vocal encouragement afforded our youngsters during this Quarter-Final a poor attendance of 1,453 appeared to include about a thousand Hammers' fans. Unfortunately this did not have the desired effect, and the Gunners eventually gained a victory that was certainly deserved if not particularly well-earned.

The thinly-populated Highbury terraces had a bleak look (although playing conditions were very good), and the game had much the same aspect with neither team reaching the heights. A goalless first half was followed by an equally ineffective twenty minutes of unexciting exchanges that usually fizzled out near goal. Then left-back Terry Tapping did what no forward had looked like achieving - he scored; Dick Griffin (deputising for 'flu-striken Alan Dickie) had no chance to stop the 25-yard drive, and a similar goal came from the same player eleven minutes later after he had beaten four opponents in a solo run. A counter by centre-forward O'Rourke between these goals made the final score 3-0, but the heated protests by the Hammers after this appeared most justified, as the scorer seemed to be yards offside when the ball was passed through to him.

We certainly did not reach the standard of skill that senior experience should have brought out, and it would be quite fair to say that on this form the Young Gunners also do not appear to have much chance against Chelsea in the Semi-Final.

The loss of Dave Busby through injury after only ten minutes* play was a heavy blow from which the Hammers never recovered. Fulham went ahead just before the interval after Dave Griffin had saved a " double penalty," and they had generally the better of the exchanges until the end. Our best chance to equalise was thrown away when a penalty-kick was shot wide, and then the Cottagers made it 2-0. Tremendous last-minute pressure brought the Hammers a consolation goal from Brian Roche.

Steve Hyde, the Wycombe Wanderers' left-winger, played his second game in our colours.

On a lively surface and with three triallists in their line-up, the Hammers did well to earn a point against a strong, hard-tackling Brentford side. After an11th-minute goal against us Wedge equalised, but following poor defensive play we were 1-3 down at the change-over. Smith converted a penalty to reduce the margin and then following good work by Lugg and Patten we again drew level with a further goal by Wedge for a 3-3 draw. In his debut Brian Francis of Twickenham did quite well after a nervous start, and we thank his "regular" club for releasing him at short notice.